Laminated wheel filler unit



. M.' W. MIX.

LAMINATED WHEEL FILLER UNIT.

APPLlcMloN min MN. 31. 1916.

1,336,254. Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

W1 TNFSSES':

A TTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MELVILLE W'. MIX, OF MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO DODGE MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, OF MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, A CORPORATION 0F INDIANA.

LAMINATED WHEEL FILLER UNIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

To ZZ 'whom it muy rfmmfrn:

Be it known that I, MuLviLLn lV. Mix, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mishawaka, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Laminated l/VheelFiller Units, of which the following is a specification.

My invention rc-latcs to improvements in laminated Wheel filler unitsand it appertains more especially to thc features pointed out in theannexed claims.

The purpose of my invention is to provide laminated wheel ller units formotor cars,`- auto trucks and similar or other uses which shall be oflight weight and great rigidity Without sacrificing elasticity andresiliency; that are easily assembled; econolnical to construct; andmost eliicient in service. In addition, it is also the purpose toprovide laminar wheel fillers made up aslindependent units, for use withany desired type of tire rims, wheel hubs, etc., such units in theirvarious forms being adapted to the different conditions found in actualpractice.

With these and other ends in view I illustrate in the accompanyingdrawing such instances of adaptation as will disclose the broad featuresWithout limiting myself to the specific details shown.

Figure 1 instances an elevation partly in section of an assembledlaminar wheel for detachable tires adapted to either a demountahle orclencher type of tire, also showing the laminations divided into twogroups.

Fig. 2 also instances an elevation in section of groups of laminar unitsreinforced with distance blocks between the hub and rim for trussingpurposes.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section in elevation 0f a metallic sheathed wheelwith stiffening thimbles inserted into openings formed olmake thewheellighter and more grace- Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows the thimhle held loy\I rivets.

Fig. 6 shows the thimble spun into the metal easing sheets.

Fig'. 7 is an elevation in section of an adaptation in which the groupsof a filler unit` are curved with respect-to each other so as to putthem under tension. v

Flg. 8 instances in a sectional elevation the disposition of the groupsfor heavier service.

Fig. S) is a liagrannnatic elevation showing heavy groups reinforcedbetween the riln and hu'b.

Fig. l() is a diagramunltic elevation of inclined groups on cach side ofu straight center.

Fig. 11 instances a means for additionally holding the rim to lillcrunits.

Fig. 12 shows an amplification of Fig. 1l.

In these :.ulaptations lan'iinated filler units are used as substitutesfor the usual fcllies or rims and spokes. ln the asscm bledexemplification ol Fig. 1, a built in unit is shown in connection with arear wheel of an automobile,with the usual brake` drum attached. Thesefiller units are of course equally adaptable to the front axlcs ofvehicles or as fillers for non-split pulleys on machine tools, ctc. Itis immaterial whether the laminations compriseV the natural fibers ofwood angularly displaced in the different layers, or artificially madematerials having a grain more extended in one direction than another.

It is immaterial as to what means for attaching the laminations to thehub, brake drum or rim are used, or whether the luminations are groupedone way or another. Whatever special features the exigent-ies ofpractice and the specialized needs of varions lines of industry demand,these are included in the present invention. regardless of the extentofsuch variations or how the component parts of the units are heldtogether. As inslanced in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 the groups are spreadmore at the hub than at the rim. ln Figs. 8. 9, 11 and 12 they areplaced parallel to cach other.

Any suitable form of wheel hub 1 may be used. If the wheel is a drivingone the hub is held on the taliering axle 2 in the usual manner. Aflange 3 serves as an abutment to the inner group of laminations, and ifrequired the 'brake drum 4 may be attached to it. A lianged ring 5slides on the outside of the huh andby means of bolts clamps thelaminated liller to thc flange 3. When the groups of lamime 6 are spreadat the hub suitable distance blocks 7 or annular rings are placedtherebetween, bolts 8 passing through the same the filler unit andflanges, holding' all in assembled relation.

The rim edge of the groups of circularly formed laminations 6 may abuteach other or se arators vmay be placed between them. In a ditionseparators 10 may be .used between the hu'b opening and rim 'to trussthem. Should these be made of gradually lessening thickness as the rimis approached the rou s will be inclined to each other and 4 if o uniorm thickness they will be parallel. Suitable rivets or bolts may passthrough these separators to hold the parts as a unit in close relation.

In the formation of laminar unit wheel fillers I do not limit myself tothe use of distance blocks, separators, etc., in all cases. In certainadaptations, dependent on the kind of service to which the wheels aresubject, the laminations may be placed side by side in parallel relationto each other, and for purposes in which heavy side strains areencountered they are grouped and trussed. The exemplifications shown inthe drawings are adaptable as independent laminar units, assemblablewith anyI desired type of rim or hub. Fig. 9 instances parallel groupsof laminas with se arators be tween them, while the other gures showgroups in trussed relation to each other. lVhatever the specificarrangement of the groups, so long as they constitute independent unitsthe structure comes within the spirit of my invention, regardless of thespecific fastening means by which they are secured to hubs or the exactway in which tire rim anges, etc., are secured to the units, or how thegroups of lamin are fastened to each other so as to be held togatherwhile being handled.

When the wheel filler units comprising groups 6 are perforated by holesas in' Fig. 4 the outer side of each group may have a steel sheath 11assembled with it. If the holes instanced in Fig. 4 were left unlinedthe end fibers of the laminas would be exposed to dampness, rain, etc.,and in order to avoid this a thimble 12` isspun in as shown in Fig. 3,riveted in as shown in Fig. 5 or crimped into place to make a waterproof joint as instanced in Fig. 6. Metallic sheaths may also be appliedto any of the groups shown. If it is desiredto place the groups undertension with respect to each other they may be curved as shown in Fig. 7

The structure shown in Fi r. 4 forms an independent unit which mayattached to various ty of hubs or rims to constitute finished w eels,the component parts bein complete units made independently of eac otherand adapted to be ,manufactured in quantities as se arate articles to belater assembled by in ependent purchasers in any desired combination.

Around the outer edge of the fillers 6 suitable annular anges 13 may beattached to the rims 14 by suitable rivets or any otherl desired manner.In case the rim 14 is formed in one piece, one of the llanges 13 wouldbe riveted or bolted to' it and the other spot welded as instanced inFigs. 11. and 12 or both flanges might be riveted to the rim. Therivetin of one flange is necessitated on account o assembling the fillerunits com rising ups 6, flanges 13 and rim 14. I desire flat headedcounter sunk screws 15 may be placed between rivets 16, so as to enterseparators 9. Separatore, 9,

10 and 7 may be made in the form of ringsV so as to facilitate theassembling of filler units.

In making laminated wheel filler puits they are formed independently ofany type of rims. Either one of the forms shown, the one in Fig. 1 andthat designated by 14 on Figs. 2, 8, 11 and 12, or any other style maybe used. In any event the filler units are easily attachable to hubsand4 rims so as to facilitate the manufacture of composite wheels byusin such units in any desired combination. n case of accidents in whichwheels are injured it is extremely important to quickly substitute a newunit for the damaged one. somewhat similar. in facility and ease ofchange, to the well known types of demountable rims on spoked motor carwheels.

To secure this advantage wheel rims will have one of the angles 13,Figs. 11 and 12, spot welded to it or permanently secured in any other,way. The other angle may be held by removable fastenings of any desiredkind. The use of a rim similar to the one exemplified in Fig. 1 would bean equivalent of rim 14, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and may besubstituted therefor. In such a substitution the upturned edge of rim 14on one side is replaced by a removable flanged tire ring, and theholding ring shown in Fig. 1 substituted therefor,V thus making the tiredetachable, without reference to the rim itself, which may be c uiteindependently removed from the fi 1ers without disturbin the tire on therim.

Whenever it is esired to more accurately aline the angles 13 withrespect to rim 14 and a filler unit` an open ended or split ring 17shown in Fig. 12 may be secured 'in a groove, formed in rim 14', bymeans of screws 15. In .forming the outside .ve for the rin 17twoshoulders are-pro ucsd on the insi e of the rim 14', Fig. 12, ag instwhich the angles 13 abut. These sho ders and the ring 17 with its screws15 passing into a central separator of a filler unit very materiallyreinforcea completely assembled wheel against side strains.

This structure is only shown asan exemplication andis not to be'construed as limiting my invention to it or to any practical equivalentsthereof. It is made the subject of separate prosecution. Otherexpedients could be instunced but as these do not constitute the broadfeatures of my present invention they are not shown or specially claimedin this instant-e.

lt will he Seen that phfwood wheel filler emlioilyflnr the feature`instaneed or their substantial equivalent are Simple, economieul tonuuiul'acture, of light Weight indl long' life.

What l claim is,

l. ln laminar wheel fillers u plurality of laminated disks Arranged ingroups spaced apart, metullie she-utils on the outside of the diskshaving openings in register \\'ith openings formed in the diskm meansextendingr through both openings to held the slieuths in position on thedisks, und lne-[111s placed in the intel-space between the groups tohold such groups apart within the limits set by the thimliles.

2i In independent wheel fillers, attaehable laminar filler memberscomprising a plurality of groups 0l laminated disks snced apart to formtrussed elements to more effertively resist side strains. metallicsheatlis on the exterior of each filler member, and means for holdingthe parts in assembled relation independently of various types of rimsand hubs with which the units may be ronilrined so as to form astandardized product adaptable to the varying requirements of differentkinds: of service.

In ieetnuiiny whereof I ztix my signature in presenee of two witnesses.

M BLV] [ILE W. MIX.

llfitneeees CHM. IlNnLioH, A. W. ZIMMERMAN.

